Reflections on the Incorporation of Biomeasures into Longitudinal Social Surveys: An International Perspective

Abstract

This article is concerned with the underlying rationales for including biomeasures in longitudinal social surveys. In particular, it seeks to draw out the potential advantages of incorporating biomeasures in household panel studies for advancing our understanding of behaviors. A key emphasis is on elaborating pathways from biology through the brain/mind to behaviors and outcomes, particularly for social, demographic, economic, and health domains. The article elaborates these themes and illustrates them within the context of international experience. It lays out some of the key issues concerning conceptualization and operationalization of the integration of biomeasures into surveys. The next section considers the particular issues concerned with these opportunities and innovations for household panel studies. This is followed by a brief summary of the extent to which biomeasures have been incorporated into longitudinal social surveys, especially outside the United States. The final main section considers a wide range of strategic issues in the the collection of biomeasures in household panel studies and is followed by a brief conclusion.